Pacific Islanders: a Distinct Voice

Pacific Islanders are not Asians. They do not speak in Asian Voices as your Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month series implies (“Asian Voices in Orange County: Officer Hopes He’s Inspiration for Others,” May 3).

I must repeat here what I wrote in a letter to The Times in March (“Pacific Islanders a Distinct Ingredient in Cultural Stew,” March 29): “Pacific Islanders are not racially, linguistically, culturally or religiously Asians. . . .”

Yes, it matters. I’ll tell you why. Pacific Islanders are the most underrepresented, under-assisted ethnic group we have. They were an invisible minority, swept under the Asian category mat until the last U.S. Census, when they were finally counted as distinct.

Our American Pacific Islanders have value systems, aspirations, challenges and problems unique to their cultures. The U.S. Census Bureau recognizes this. Our schools and other public institutions recognize this.

When is The Times going to catch up? America’s Pacific Islanders do not speak with Asian voices. They speak for themselves in English, Samoan, Tongan, Marshallese, Hawaiian, Tahitian and Maori. It’s time you listened.

MEL KERNAHAN, Laguna Hills